Dance Beneath the Moon
By Lady M. Harris
Just in time for the holidays!
Part Six
"Terrence! What are you doing here?" Serena exclaimed smiling, her eyes wide with surprise when she opened her door. Terrence was standing out in the hall beside her door, the surprised expression on his handsome features mirroring Serena's own as he gazed at her elegant dress with a scowl.
"Serena, were you going someplace?" Terrence asked as he continued eyeing her outfit with a frown. The gown must have cost a fortune, he thought with dismay. He knew Serena didn't have that kind of money, and there was only one man that he could think of who could afford such a dress. Dr. Darien Shields. The corner of his mouth twitched in irritation. He didn't completely understand why he was here, standing outside Serena's door, only that he had to see her. And it didn't make it easier trying to explain what he was feeling when she stood in the doorway looking totally exquisite.
"Actually, I was expecting someone else," Serena chuckled, then elaborated for him. "Darien is having someone pick me up from his estate. I've been invited to a dinner party for Wesly, his grandfather. Would you like to come inside until my ride arrives?" She asked politely, backing into her apartment to let him in. Terrence nodded his head and stepped inside. The interior immediately reminded him of Serena and what he expected to see.
"Serena," Terrence began after they were seated comfortably on her couch. "The reason I came is-because of Darien. And because I'm worried about you."
Serena's blue eyes flickered for a moment as she gazed at Terrence; she sighed knowing what was coming. "I know you're surprised over our engagement, Terrence," she stated, looking down at her hands folded in her lap. Her gaze strayed to the engagement ring on her finger. She couldn't explain this to him, especially to Terrence, of all people. Her feelings for Darien--they were...private. And even now, she couldn't admit to herself the obvious. The obvious to her was still a complex matter--but what of Darien? And Terrence was the totally wrong person to admit these matters of the heart.
"Are you sure about him?" He asked bluntly. "I mean, I don't even know who he is and-well, how long have you known him?" He asked anxiously, taking one of her cold hands in his, softly caressing the knuckles.
"Terrence, this it isn't any of your business. I know what I'm doing," she replied, frowning slightly as she became uneasy about the way he was caressing her knuckles. It made her feel awkward.
"Well, I'm making it my business," he stated, suddenly pulling her abruptly toward him.
Serena squeaked like a startled mouse and before she had a chance to protest, felt Terrence's mouth cover her mouth in a kiss. His arms closed around her body as he deepened the kiss. She closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the past memories of the past. However, unlike Darien's kisses, which inflamed her body and soul, Terrence's kisses were just mildly pleasant. It was like a kiss between friends or young innocents; and that's what they had been years before, young and naive teenagers.
Terrence broke the kiss and stared down into her face with a puzzled expression lighting across his sober features.
"Why did you have to do that?" Serena wanted to shriek at him, her face flaming bright red, angry spots on her cheeks. "What about Mina? How could you think to do this to her? What are you trying to prove?" She spluttered out, getting up from the couch and marching to her door. With a firm twist of the doorknob, she swung the door wide open and looked back at him with a determined expression written on her face that made her message painfully clear.
"Out." Her face numb with shock. The nerve!
"Serena . . . aaah shit," Terrence answered her as he ran an agitated hand through his hair, leaning back against the couch, trying to think. How could this be, he thought, confused? What was he trying to prove? That he was still in love with Serena? Yet, when they had kissed, all he thought of . . . was . . . of betraying Mina. Serena's kisses weren't as he remembered them to be. He felt as if he had kissed his sister.
"I think you better leave," Serena stated firmly, swinging the door wider to empathize her point.
"You're probably right," he replied, getting up from the couch. "Serena-" he began again, wanting to explain his actions, but he was firmly cut off.
Shaking her head, she stated, "Don't say another word, Terrence. I won't have it. I will see you at the wedding and that's that," she finished, frowning at him, disbelief and anger still written on her features over what had just occurred.
Terrence ducked his head slightly and stared at Serena with an expression that she couldn't make out. As he headed to the door, another older gentleman appeared.
"Excuse me? Is this the residence of Serena Ashton?" The older gentleman asked. He was dressed as a chauffeur and Serena knew immediately who he was, Thomas.
"Yes, I'm Serena," Serena replied, bowing low to the Thomas.
He bowed politely in return to Serena as he introduced himself. "And I'm Thomas Covington. We must hurry Ms. Ashton. The snow is beginning to fall heavily outside and it looks like it will worsen. This is very unusual, even for Tokyo," Thomas finished, as a worry frown creased his lined forehead.
Terrence stepped through the door and looked back at Serena, his face now composed. "Don't mind me," Terrence said to Thomas, bowing slightly at the same time. "I was just leaving. I'll see you at the wedding, Serena," Terrence said to her, who only nodded to his question, her brow lowered over her blue eyes.
"That's good, Terrence," Serena answered, her eyes flashing defiantly at him.
"See you later."
"Ms. Ashton, your coat, please?" Thomas asked, anxiously.
"Oh yes, let me grab it," she answered, all traces of anger gone now as she backed into her apartment quickly.
"We're here, Ms. Ashton," Thomas smiled, letting out a shallow breath of relief underneath his breath. The snow was now falling heavily, darkening the sky as the winds picked up, lifting the icy flakes and slanting them into the windshield and dropping visibility drastically during the latter part of the drive. He could barely make out Darien's car parked in front of the entrance, but he was able to see the lights on in the mansion with no problem.
His orders were to drop Serena off and join his wife at the caretaker's cottage with little or no contact with Darien. Hopefully, he could dodge Darien before he could question him about the canceled dinner party.
"Oh, it looks lovely!" Serena breathed out as she gazed up at the large mansion and its impressive surroundings. Even with all the snow falling down around the estate, the mansion looked quite imposing and well kept.
"That it is. It's been in the family for generations. Like my father and my father's father, I'm proud to have served such a generous and prestigious family. There are no better people than the Shields," Thomas finished as they pulled up into the driveway. He could see Darien opening the entrance door and walk toward the limo, relief evident on his face.
"Serena-thank God," Darien muttered under his breath, as he opened her door before Thomas even had a chance to unfasten his seat belt.
He pulled Serena quickly out and before she had a chance to call out a greeting, was swiftly caught up in his strong arms. Her senses were instantly overwhelmed by the fresh scent of his cologne of wood spices and cinnamon mixing in with the wet snow falling down around them.
"Serena."
She caught the caressing sound of her name whispered against her hair, immediately causing her body to tremble to the sound.
"Darien . . ." Serena whispered back, closing her eyes as his warmth enveloped her, a shield against the icy winds surrounding them. God, she had missed him.
Abruptly, he let go of her, making her feel heady by his warm embrace and the tender tone of his voice.
Leaning into the limousine's back door, Darien began a rapid fire questioning at Thomas. "Thomas, what's going on? Did the party get canceled? There's no one here. Even the servants have apparently been given the night off . . . but your wife is waiting for you at the cottage." He sighed, as if irate by something. "This doesn't make any sense," Darien stated, as he stared into the interior of the limousine at Thomas, his steel gaze suspicious and questioning at the same time. "Perhaps, you better go and check on her. I would recommend staying there tonight because of the weather though. I haven't seen snow this thick in a long time, and the phone lines are apparently down too."
"Alright son, whatever you want. Just doing what you asked me to do," Thomas replied innocently, smiling secretively inward as Darien nodded his head in agreement. The plan was going exactly as Wesly had explained it would. He wished that he could be there to see Darien's face, when he discovered the newspaper.
Serena Ashton certainly turned out to be a very lovely and charming lady, just as Wesly had observed. The perfect wife for Darien Shields, Thomas thought with happy glee.
"What's up?" Serena asked curiously, when they stepped into the foyer done in cream marble and etched with large, black irises designed to catch the most discerning eye. The foyer and main hallway was large and spacious, noting briefly that it was the same size as her living room.
"The party's apparently been called off. Funny that all of the servants have been given the night off, even on Christmas Eve. And grandfather isn't in residence--how obvious can he be? Although, I suspect that he's the one behind all this-I wonder what he's really up to," he finished as he reached over to help her remove her coat. Darien went still as his eyes feasted on the lovely sight of Serena in the silver dress that he had taken so much time to pick for her.
"Are you saying that he planned for us to be alone? But surely, he didn't count on the weather," she stated, blushing as she noted how Darien's eyes slowly and methodically swept over her shapely figure.
"I'm sure the weather was just an added bonus. My God, Serena-but you're a sight for sore eyes. Has anyone ever told ever you how beautiful you are?" he asked suddenly, changing the subject as he gazed down into her raised, flushed face.
Briefly, Darien thought about the times when she was an intriguing volunteer at the hospital, helping him innocently with various, small chores in his cluttered office. It all but floored him to think that he had tried vainly to ignore her alluring presence. If he was completely honest with himself, he acknowledged now how his eyes would trail with longing after Serena's graceful movements. And how he had listened to her gay chatter within his office, the way a child hungered for a lollipop. But then, he was a master of masking his own features and emotions, and would rather disguise them-even from himself-than to have been caught lusting after Crossroads hospital's most popular volunteer.
"You understand, that with the snow coming in the way it is, you're stuck here for the reminder of the night?" He asked her suddenly as he took her warm hand in his and pulled her toward him.
Serena stared down at their clasped hands and entwined fingers, her body atremble by his meaning. She knew that they would have eventually come to this bridge in their most unusual relationship. "Yes, I understand, Darien . . ." she answered huskily, as she pulled their entwined hands toward her lips. She heard him suck his breath in sharply as she rubbed her soft cheek against the back of his hand. Closing her eyes, she placed a light, lingering kiss on his knuckles before opening her eyes again to gaze deeply into his. Her lovely, blue orbs told him more than any words could ever convey. "Let's enjoy it to the fullest," she replied boldly, her voice low and clear. I'll think about the consequences tomorrow, she thought to herself in the deepest part of her mind.
Darien's eyes gleamed in the lowly lit hallway as they slowly made their way toward the receiving room. Clearing his voice from the sudden frog in his throat, he said, "Well then, why don't I show you around my humble adobe?" he asked, trying to create a lighter mood. Later, much later, he summarized they would get down to business. His body grew instantly hard just thinking about what that business pertained to.
Serena nodded her head, smiling up into his face as they moved out of the hallway. Then she gasped with delight, her eyes lighting up merrily as they came into the receiving room. An enormous and an exquisitely decorated Christmas tree stood nigh high to the vaulted ceiling, next to the huge, French bay windows that overlooked the entire, gleaming white estate. Gold and silver decorations trimmed the refined tree; while soft, white lights cast a warm, luminous glow to everything it touched. Beside the tree, a large cheery fire burned in a huge, white, roman column fireplace that was big enough to fit a small room in it; while marble and tile surrounded its carved, well-crafted mantle.
The room itself was elegantly decorated in gold and creams. Expensive, Oriental rugs lined the pale, marble floors and priceless paintings from all over the world graced the walls. Large ferns and various potted plants were placed strategically throughout the room to lure guests with its inviting warmth. Here and there, placed on tables, were rare and intricately designed artifacts and vases that had obviously been in the family for generations. Serena mentally noted that the room was nearly three times the size of her apartment. She sighed with appreciation. What a wonderful room, she thought.
Darien then showed her more of the most frequently used rooms in the mansion. Each room was almost as lovely the receiving room. There was a formal room for entertaining guests, a family room for those cozy nights before a small fire or just plain reading in an overstuff chair piled high with pillows and a comfortable throw to keep those chilly feet warm; a formal dining hall, a media room decked out with the most recent technology that could boggle a mind, a modern main office filled with dark cherry wood pieces, and a grand ballroom with glorious, beautiful crystal chandlers twice the size of a human being. Then there was the large, breakfast nook which could open to the back terrace, a gourmet kitchen, large enough to cook for over one-hundred and fifty people, a library lined to the ceiling with leather-bound books and one of Darien's favorite rooms, and then, last was the master bedroom. Eight other bedrooms lined the spacious hallways; each with their own adjoining bathroom, and a servant's wing completed the interior of the house. In addition to the mansion, there was a large, indoor pool with huge skylights that could open up the ceiling to let in the sun's light. Three southern porches surrounded the mansion and a balcony opened from the master bedroom. On the outer grounds, were tennis courts and horse stables to complete the Shields estate.
Serena was flabbergasted by the size of the mansion. "It's a very beautiful house, Darien," she breathed out when they returned to the room where the Christmas tree stood. She stared at the tree and wondered briefly about his childhood. Had it been as happy as hers had been in her family's tiny house, she thought? The faces of her father, mother and younger brother briefly appeared in her mind's eye. She loved them fiercely and dearly.
"Yes, I have to agree with you on that. It has seen many generations of the Shields. But right now, there's just my grandfather and I," Darien grinned down into her face.
There was an audible sound of a stomach growling loudly throughout the room. Serena's eyes grew huge in embarrassment, her face flushing in the soft glow of the tree lights and fireplace. Darien laughed and added, "Perhaps, we should rummage through the kitchen and see if there's anything to eat." Grabbing her hand in his again, they headed back to the kitchen. Switching on the lights, they made their way toward the large walk-in refrigerator.
"What do you feel up to?" he asked.
"It doesn't really matter. I could eat a cow right about now." Serena laughed as her stomach rumbled again. "Oh my," she commented as Darien laughed again.
She walked away from Darien, curious about the multiple ovens in an obvious gourmet kitchen. She opened one large oven door that was still warm, a light inside the oven clicking on, and a delicious smell rising from the interior. Inside, sat two covered, ceramic hotplates.
"Oh, look what I've found," she voiced, sniffing the wonderful scent arising from the covered hotplates. Apparently, someone had gone through the trouble of preparing a meal for them.
"What?" Darien asked curiously, coming over to look into the open oven. In one hand, he carried an expensive bottle of warm, red wine and in the other, two beautiful wine goblets.
Serena grabbed a pair of oven mitts, placed conveniently next to the oven and slipped them on.
"Well, well, well-what do we have here? Hmm?" Darien replied sarcastically, a lopsided grin forming as he stared down at the two hotplates.
"It just so happens to be 'our dinner'-how convenient!" Serena replied as she pulled out the hotplates, a broad grin also playing across her features as she mimicked Darien's tone of voice. They laughed together, Wesly's plan obvious to them both, but their mood was merry and a spell had been cast over the two of them.
Darien grabbed some eating utensils and napkins on their way out of the kitchen. They settled back on the rug in front of the Christmas tree and warm fireplace, kicking their shoes off in the process.
The hotplates turned out to be a lavish, traditional, American Christmas feast. They dined on scrumptious honeyed ham, succulent white turkey meat with brown gravy, a tangy and spicy stuffing, whipped potatoes topped with melted butter, and a vegetable medley of sautéed onions, carrots, red and green bell peppers. Buttered, French loaves and a hot, crumbling apple pie served with aged, red wine finished off their dinner.
They languished slowly over the meal, enjoying each other's company, talking about everything and really nothing at all. Serena realized that this was actually their very first dinner together, and so she filed away the special moments, savoring every moment. She wanted to memorize the scenery and the epitome of the raw, male beauty who sat before her nonchalantly, as if the world belonged to him. And to her, it did belong to him.
After eating their fill, they cleared away the hotplates and continued to sit on the rug before the Christmas tree lingering over the wine and enjoying the warm, intimate mood. Serena continued to watch the snow through the huge bay windows that continued to slant down heavily outside. The conversation died a comfortable death with only an occasional comment here and there on different subjects.
Serena shifted her gaze to the interesting decorations on the tree when a particular one caught her eye. One decoration looked something like an intricately designed, glass cube with small portraits in it, and she had a funny feeling that the pictures were of Darien at different ages. She looked back impishly at Darien, grinning like a mischievous elf and got up to take a closer look at the decoration. "Is that what I think it is?" She voiced out to him curiously.
Darien grinned back at her lazily with a puzzled look on his face. "What is?" He asked, rising at the same time as her. Just as she reached the tree, her stocking foot tripped over a slight hump in the rug.
"Aaaaahh!" Serena cried out in surprise, her arms flying out to try and stabilize her balance. Why in the world do I have to have a klutz attack after seven years, she thought with mortification and embarrassment? Just as the ground loomed dangerously close, a large, warm body appeared before her to pad her fall. Darien landed on the ground with a slight grunt escaping from his lungs as his body braced Serena's. They rolled once toward the tree, with Serena ending up--or rather beneath Darien, with a slightly dazed look on her face.
Once her gaze focused on Darien, she burst out with concern, "Are you okay?" At the same time, her hands reached out to trace Darien's face with apparent concern.
Darien chuckled, gazing down into her face, a sardonic smile slowly spreading across his sensuous lips. He watched Serena's lapis-blue eyes widen with instant carnal awareness, the irises enlarging within her eyes as she felt the long, hard length of his body settling purposely, comfortably over hers. His finger reached up to touch her full, trembling lower lip. His lids lowered over his dark gaze as they dipped to her mouth, his blue eyes deepening to the color of a wild and torrent ocean as they flared expressively with hot desire. "I cannot pass up this perfect opportunity, Serena . . ." he said, his voice low and taut, as his finger slid slowly back and forth across her lower lip, enjoying the feel of her suddenly, wet lips against his finger.
Of their own accord, her arms lifted, and then her hands were slowly threading the strands of Darien's hair, luxuriating in their silky softness through her fingers. Her blood felt like it was beginning to boil as it pulsed through her veins at a speed that made her heart flutter furiously. Her body began a slow burn of fire as her own desire trembled and sang within her, answering to his call of fervid passion.
Darien's finger paused on her lips and Serena opened her mouth to gently suckle it, causing him to shudder powerfully in exquisite torment. "Serena . . . what the hell are you doing to me?" He breathed hoarsely, hapless but to stare at where she gently sucked his finger.
Serena let go of his finger and gazed back up into his hard face. With her hands still entwined in his hair, she firmly nudged his head toward her lips. God, how she wanted him with every fiber of her being, and to hell with their charade. This was real, damnit! "Darien-please quit talking and kiss me," she huskily pleaded and commanded at the same time.
"I thought you'd never ask," he murmured before his mouth possessed hers in a deep and greedy kiss. His mouth slanted over hers, as if he were devouring his last meal, releasing all his pent-up passion and kissing her as if his life depended on it.
She moaned in response, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She could feel his hands roaming freely over her body, exploring her curves, reliving his charted course. Desire flared like a restless brush fire burning out of control and Serena was caught up, trapped within the flaming circle of it's intense heat.
Darien broke off their kiss, his breathing ragged and shallow. Serena watched wordlessly as he unzipped the back of her dress. Inch by inch, he slowly peeled down the straps of her dress, exposing her creamy skin to his intense gaze. The fire in the fireplace crackled and sparkled, casting a golden hue on the engrossed couple whose only world encompassed only them.
She helped him remove the rest of her dress, and then she lay before him in just her white, silk panties and lacy stockings that encased her long, shapely legs. She could see his gaze deepen to the color of sapphires as they swept slowly over her figure. She blushed in heady embarrassment but allowed him to take his fill of her. Her breasts swelled as her breathing stormed through her body, and her nipples puckered erect underneath his heated perusal. Her face grew even redder as she watched his eyes stare for long moments at the apex between her legs, where the golden center of her flared hot and warm all at once.
"You're absolutely beautiful-Serena," he whispered reverently as his hand reached out to carefully cup one of her heavy breasts. "Absolutely . . . beautiful . . ." he continued, his fingers stroking over the hard pebble of her nipple-back and forth-in a tantalizing stroke.
Serena's immediate response was to groan in frustration, her hands reaching up to stop him-no, to encourage him. Her legs pulled up as the heat within the center of her belly fast approached a boiling point.
Darien paused in his stroking to divest himself of his garments, suddenly feeling as if the tuxedo was too stifling and confining. Piece by piece, each article of clothing dropped to floor beside them in a forgotten heap.
Serena felt as if her lungs would explode from holding her breath for so long. With the fire lights flickering in the background and the soft glow of the Christmas tree's lights joining in unison, dark grooves, ridges and hollow lines were cast on his exposed, sinew, and muscular skin. Each definitive shape of muscle, from his hard face to his broad shoulders, down the sleek lines of his stomach and his long, hard thighs, was displayed only for her own pleasurable viewing. Her gaze traveled hesitantly toward the center of his groin, halting for long moments on his hard erection, so explicitly protruding from his body. Everything had come down to this point, Serena thought dazedly as she continued to gaze at Darien's body in fascination and wonderment.
"Serena . . . touch me-" Darien commanded softly, but the words came out in a half groan as he kneeled back down before her. He took her hand in his and guided her fingers around his thick member and taught her gently the movements that would satisfy him.
And after while, she could feel him stiffening and shuddering powerfully under her exploring ministrations. She felt a sense of heady, overwhelming power that she could bring him such pleasure--it was such an intimate gesture, she smiled like a siren in thought.
When Darien could stand no more-for fear of spilling his seed before he had a chance to give her pleasure-he halted her hands and kissed her deeply again. This time, he could feel her hesitant, exploring fingers reaching out to touch his shoulder blades, the curve that dipped in the middle of his back and down his hard buttocks. He whispered and coaxed her gently to touch him wherever she pleased. She was rewarded with his soft exclamations and the stiffening of his body in response to her caresses.
Somehow, Serena had lost track as to when Darien had removed her stockings and panties, but it was no matter as his fingers delved deep between her soft thighs to explore and entice her sweet nectar. All the while, they kissed and caressed each other, both of them softly exclaiming over the new wonders of learning each other.
There came a point in their sensual exploration that Darien paused to gaze at the arresting tattoo on Serena's shapely backside. When he said nothing, Serena gazed over her shoulder to wonder at his stillness. And then their eyes meet in a gentle caress of passion and fire. Darien tenderly kissed her tattoo, his hands lingering on her shapely derriere before moving on to more ah exciting planes of her body.
And when Darien lips teased and kissed her nipples until they stood high with vigorous attention, they both seemed to have reached a point where their bodies were tired of waiting.
With a certain pleading in her lovely blue orbs that could not be denied, he shifted his body between her creamy thighs and swiftly drove his member deep within her awaiting channel. It was nearly their undoing as they cried out in unison. Their hands reached out and clasped together, fingers entwined so it was hard to determine whose were whose, as if they were joined as one. And then Darien began to move deeply within her in a rhythm that was as timeless and as old as the sea herself. All that mattered was the moment-a moment frozen in time for Serena and the man above her-and the driving motion of his body.
When she reached that pinnacle where there was no returning, he was there, whispering, coaxing to her. Open your eyes-Serena, he lulled to her huskily, as her body began to convulse. When she obeyed him, she couldn't explain the tenet feeling of knowing intimately, the feel of his powerful thrust, the drag and motion of his manhood within her body--all the while their gazes held in a tenuous hold. But she understood then what they shared when her world tilted and exploded. She cried out his name and watched his own deep gaze, the pupils widening within the irises, as his body began to join hers in mutual rapture. It was the passionate touch of her hand that reached out to caress the hard angles of his face that was his complete undoing.
Serena-he groaned and then he kissed her greedily once again as his seed spilled deeply into her welcoming body.
Darien . . . she murmured sleepily, sometime later, still holding him within her embrace . . . I love you.
Stay tuned for the next part! Merry Christmas everyone! Lady M. Harris
By Lady M. Harris
Just in time for the holidays!
Part Six
"Terrence! What are you doing here?" Serena exclaimed smiling, her eyes wide with surprise when she opened her door. Terrence was standing out in the hall beside her door, the surprised expression on his handsome features mirroring Serena's own as he gazed at her elegant dress with a scowl.
"Serena, were you going someplace?" Terrence asked as he continued eyeing her outfit with a frown. The gown must have cost a fortune, he thought with dismay. He knew Serena didn't have that kind of money, and there was only one man that he could think of who could afford such a dress. Dr. Darien Shields. The corner of his mouth twitched in irritation. He didn't completely understand why he was here, standing outside Serena's door, only that he had to see her. And it didn't make it easier trying to explain what he was feeling when she stood in the doorway looking totally exquisite.
"Actually, I was expecting someone else," Serena chuckled, then elaborated for him. "Darien is having someone pick me up from his estate. I've been invited to a dinner party for Wesly, his grandfather. Would you like to come inside until my ride arrives?" She asked politely, backing into her apartment to let him in. Terrence nodded his head and stepped inside. The interior immediately reminded him of Serena and what he expected to see.
"Serena," Terrence began after they were seated comfortably on her couch. "The reason I came is-because of Darien. And because I'm worried about you."
Serena's blue eyes flickered for a moment as she gazed at Terrence; she sighed knowing what was coming. "I know you're surprised over our engagement, Terrence," she stated, looking down at her hands folded in her lap. Her gaze strayed to the engagement ring on her finger. She couldn't explain this to him, especially to Terrence, of all people. Her feelings for Darien--they were...private. And even now, she couldn't admit to herself the obvious. The obvious to her was still a complex matter--but what of Darien? And Terrence was the totally wrong person to admit these matters of the heart.
"Are you sure about him?" He asked bluntly. "I mean, I don't even know who he is and-well, how long have you known him?" He asked anxiously, taking one of her cold hands in his, softly caressing the knuckles.
"Terrence, this it isn't any of your business. I know what I'm doing," she replied, frowning slightly as she became uneasy about the way he was caressing her knuckles. It made her feel awkward.
"Well, I'm making it my business," he stated, suddenly pulling her abruptly toward him.
Serena squeaked like a startled mouse and before she had a chance to protest, felt Terrence's mouth cover her mouth in a kiss. His arms closed around her body as he deepened the kiss. She closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the past memories of the past. However, unlike Darien's kisses, which inflamed her body and soul, Terrence's kisses were just mildly pleasant. It was like a kiss between friends or young innocents; and that's what they had been years before, young and naive teenagers.
Terrence broke the kiss and stared down into her face with a puzzled expression lighting across his sober features.
"Why did you have to do that?" Serena wanted to shriek at him, her face flaming bright red, angry spots on her cheeks. "What about Mina? How could you think to do this to her? What are you trying to prove?" She spluttered out, getting up from the couch and marching to her door. With a firm twist of the doorknob, she swung the door wide open and looked back at him with a determined expression written on her face that made her message painfully clear.
"Out." Her face numb with shock. The nerve!
"Serena . . . aaah shit," Terrence answered her as he ran an agitated hand through his hair, leaning back against the couch, trying to think. How could this be, he thought, confused? What was he trying to prove? That he was still in love with Serena? Yet, when they had kissed, all he thought of . . . was . . . of betraying Mina. Serena's kisses weren't as he remembered them to be. He felt as if he had kissed his sister.
"I think you better leave," Serena stated firmly, swinging the door wider to empathize her point.
"You're probably right," he replied, getting up from the couch. "Serena-" he began again, wanting to explain his actions, but he was firmly cut off.
Shaking her head, she stated, "Don't say another word, Terrence. I won't have it. I will see you at the wedding and that's that," she finished, frowning at him, disbelief and anger still written on her features over what had just occurred.
Terrence ducked his head slightly and stared at Serena with an expression that she couldn't make out. As he headed to the door, another older gentleman appeared.
"Excuse me? Is this the residence of Serena Ashton?" The older gentleman asked. He was dressed as a chauffeur and Serena knew immediately who he was, Thomas.
"Yes, I'm Serena," Serena replied, bowing low to the Thomas.
He bowed politely in return to Serena as he introduced himself. "And I'm Thomas Covington. We must hurry Ms. Ashton. The snow is beginning to fall heavily outside and it looks like it will worsen. This is very unusual, even for Tokyo," Thomas finished, as a worry frown creased his lined forehead.
Terrence stepped through the door and looked back at Serena, his face now composed. "Don't mind me," Terrence said to Thomas, bowing slightly at the same time. "I was just leaving. I'll see you at the wedding, Serena," Terrence said to her, who only nodded to his question, her brow lowered over her blue eyes.
"That's good, Terrence," Serena answered, her eyes flashing defiantly at him.
"See you later."
"Ms. Ashton, your coat, please?" Thomas asked, anxiously.
"Oh yes, let me grab it," she answered, all traces of anger gone now as she backed into her apartment quickly.
"We're here, Ms. Ashton," Thomas smiled, letting out a shallow breath of relief underneath his breath. The snow was now falling heavily, darkening the sky as the winds picked up, lifting the icy flakes and slanting them into the windshield and dropping visibility drastically during the latter part of the drive. He could barely make out Darien's car parked in front of the entrance, but he was able to see the lights on in the mansion with no problem.
His orders were to drop Serena off and join his wife at the caretaker's cottage with little or no contact with Darien. Hopefully, he could dodge Darien before he could question him about the canceled dinner party.
"Oh, it looks lovely!" Serena breathed out as she gazed up at the large mansion and its impressive surroundings. Even with all the snow falling down around the estate, the mansion looked quite imposing and well kept.
"That it is. It's been in the family for generations. Like my father and my father's father, I'm proud to have served such a generous and prestigious family. There are no better people than the Shields," Thomas finished as they pulled up into the driveway. He could see Darien opening the entrance door and walk toward the limo, relief evident on his face.
"Serena-thank God," Darien muttered under his breath, as he opened her door before Thomas even had a chance to unfasten his seat belt.
He pulled Serena quickly out and before she had a chance to call out a greeting, was swiftly caught up in his strong arms. Her senses were instantly overwhelmed by the fresh scent of his cologne of wood spices and cinnamon mixing in with the wet snow falling down around them.
"Serena."
She caught the caressing sound of her name whispered against her hair, immediately causing her body to tremble to the sound.
"Darien . . ." Serena whispered back, closing her eyes as his warmth enveloped her, a shield against the icy winds surrounding them. God, she had missed him.
Abruptly, he let go of her, making her feel heady by his warm embrace and the tender tone of his voice.
Leaning into the limousine's back door, Darien began a rapid fire questioning at Thomas. "Thomas, what's going on? Did the party get canceled? There's no one here. Even the servants have apparently been given the night off . . . but your wife is waiting for you at the cottage." He sighed, as if irate by something. "This doesn't make any sense," Darien stated, as he stared into the interior of the limousine at Thomas, his steel gaze suspicious and questioning at the same time. "Perhaps, you better go and check on her. I would recommend staying there tonight because of the weather though. I haven't seen snow this thick in a long time, and the phone lines are apparently down too."
"Alright son, whatever you want. Just doing what you asked me to do," Thomas replied innocently, smiling secretively inward as Darien nodded his head in agreement. The plan was going exactly as Wesly had explained it would. He wished that he could be there to see Darien's face, when he discovered the newspaper.
Serena Ashton certainly turned out to be a very lovely and charming lady, just as Wesly had observed. The perfect wife for Darien Shields, Thomas thought with happy glee.
"What's up?" Serena asked curiously, when they stepped into the foyer done in cream marble and etched with large, black irises designed to catch the most discerning eye. The foyer and main hallway was large and spacious, noting briefly that it was the same size as her living room.
"The party's apparently been called off. Funny that all of the servants have been given the night off, even on Christmas Eve. And grandfather isn't in residence--how obvious can he be? Although, I suspect that he's the one behind all this-I wonder what he's really up to," he finished as he reached over to help her remove her coat. Darien went still as his eyes feasted on the lovely sight of Serena in the silver dress that he had taken so much time to pick for her.
"Are you saying that he planned for us to be alone? But surely, he didn't count on the weather," she stated, blushing as she noted how Darien's eyes slowly and methodically swept over her shapely figure.
"I'm sure the weather was just an added bonus. My God, Serena-but you're a sight for sore eyes. Has anyone ever told ever you how beautiful you are?" he asked suddenly, changing the subject as he gazed down into her raised, flushed face.
Briefly, Darien thought about the times when she was an intriguing volunteer at the hospital, helping him innocently with various, small chores in his cluttered office. It all but floored him to think that he had tried vainly to ignore her alluring presence. If he was completely honest with himself, he acknowledged now how his eyes would trail with longing after Serena's graceful movements. And how he had listened to her gay chatter within his office, the way a child hungered for a lollipop. But then, he was a master of masking his own features and emotions, and would rather disguise them-even from himself-than to have been caught lusting after Crossroads hospital's most popular volunteer.
"You understand, that with the snow coming in the way it is, you're stuck here for the reminder of the night?" He asked her suddenly as he took her warm hand in his and pulled her toward him.
Serena stared down at their clasped hands and entwined fingers, her body atremble by his meaning. She knew that they would have eventually come to this bridge in their most unusual relationship. "Yes, I understand, Darien . . ." she answered huskily, as she pulled their entwined hands toward her lips. She heard him suck his breath in sharply as she rubbed her soft cheek against the back of his hand. Closing her eyes, she placed a light, lingering kiss on his knuckles before opening her eyes again to gaze deeply into his. Her lovely, blue orbs told him more than any words could ever convey. "Let's enjoy it to the fullest," she replied boldly, her voice low and clear. I'll think about the consequences tomorrow, she thought to herself in the deepest part of her mind.
Darien's eyes gleamed in the lowly lit hallway as they slowly made their way toward the receiving room. Clearing his voice from the sudden frog in his throat, he said, "Well then, why don't I show you around my humble adobe?" he asked, trying to create a lighter mood. Later, much later, he summarized they would get down to business. His body grew instantly hard just thinking about what that business pertained to.
Serena nodded her head, smiling up into his face as they moved out of the hallway. Then she gasped with delight, her eyes lighting up merrily as they came into the receiving room. An enormous and an exquisitely decorated Christmas tree stood nigh high to the vaulted ceiling, next to the huge, French bay windows that overlooked the entire, gleaming white estate. Gold and silver decorations trimmed the refined tree; while soft, white lights cast a warm, luminous glow to everything it touched. Beside the tree, a large cheery fire burned in a huge, white, roman column fireplace that was big enough to fit a small room in it; while marble and tile surrounded its carved, well-crafted mantle.
The room itself was elegantly decorated in gold and creams. Expensive, Oriental rugs lined the pale, marble floors and priceless paintings from all over the world graced the walls. Large ferns and various potted plants were placed strategically throughout the room to lure guests with its inviting warmth. Here and there, placed on tables, were rare and intricately designed artifacts and vases that had obviously been in the family for generations. Serena mentally noted that the room was nearly three times the size of her apartment. She sighed with appreciation. What a wonderful room, she thought.
Darien then showed her more of the most frequently used rooms in the mansion. Each room was almost as lovely the receiving room. There was a formal room for entertaining guests, a family room for those cozy nights before a small fire or just plain reading in an overstuff chair piled high with pillows and a comfortable throw to keep those chilly feet warm; a formal dining hall, a media room decked out with the most recent technology that could boggle a mind, a modern main office filled with dark cherry wood pieces, and a grand ballroom with glorious, beautiful crystal chandlers twice the size of a human being. Then there was the large, breakfast nook which could open to the back terrace, a gourmet kitchen, large enough to cook for over one-hundred and fifty people, a library lined to the ceiling with leather-bound books and one of Darien's favorite rooms, and then, last was the master bedroom. Eight other bedrooms lined the spacious hallways; each with their own adjoining bathroom, and a servant's wing completed the interior of the house. In addition to the mansion, there was a large, indoor pool with huge skylights that could open up the ceiling to let in the sun's light. Three southern porches surrounded the mansion and a balcony opened from the master bedroom. On the outer grounds, were tennis courts and horse stables to complete the Shields estate.
Serena was flabbergasted by the size of the mansion. "It's a very beautiful house, Darien," she breathed out when they returned to the room where the Christmas tree stood. She stared at the tree and wondered briefly about his childhood. Had it been as happy as hers had been in her family's tiny house, she thought? The faces of her father, mother and younger brother briefly appeared in her mind's eye. She loved them fiercely and dearly.
"Yes, I have to agree with you on that. It has seen many generations of the Shields. But right now, there's just my grandfather and I," Darien grinned down into her face.
There was an audible sound of a stomach growling loudly throughout the room. Serena's eyes grew huge in embarrassment, her face flushing in the soft glow of the tree lights and fireplace. Darien laughed and added, "Perhaps, we should rummage through the kitchen and see if there's anything to eat." Grabbing her hand in his again, they headed back to the kitchen. Switching on the lights, they made their way toward the large walk-in refrigerator.
"What do you feel up to?" he asked.
"It doesn't really matter. I could eat a cow right about now." Serena laughed as her stomach rumbled again. "Oh my," she commented as Darien laughed again.
She walked away from Darien, curious about the multiple ovens in an obvious gourmet kitchen. She opened one large oven door that was still warm, a light inside the oven clicking on, and a delicious smell rising from the interior. Inside, sat two covered, ceramic hotplates.
"Oh, look what I've found," she voiced, sniffing the wonderful scent arising from the covered hotplates. Apparently, someone had gone through the trouble of preparing a meal for them.
"What?" Darien asked curiously, coming over to look into the open oven. In one hand, he carried an expensive bottle of warm, red wine and in the other, two beautiful wine goblets.
Serena grabbed a pair of oven mitts, placed conveniently next to the oven and slipped them on.
"Well, well, well-what do we have here? Hmm?" Darien replied sarcastically, a lopsided grin forming as he stared down at the two hotplates.
"It just so happens to be 'our dinner'-how convenient!" Serena replied as she pulled out the hotplates, a broad grin also playing across her features as she mimicked Darien's tone of voice. They laughed together, Wesly's plan obvious to them both, but their mood was merry and a spell had been cast over the two of them.
Darien grabbed some eating utensils and napkins on their way out of the kitchen. They settled back on the rug in front of the Christmas tree and warm fireplace, kicking their shoes off in the process.
The hotplates turned out to be a lavish, traditional, American Christmas feast. They dined on scrumptious honeyed ham, succulent white turkey meat with brown gravy, a tangy and spicy stuffing, whipped potatoes topped with melted butter, and a vegetable medley of sautéed onions, carrots, red and green bell peppers. Buttered, French loaves and a hot, crumbling apple pie served with aged, red wine finished off their dinner.
They languished slowly over the meal, enjoying each other's company, talking about everything and really nothing at all. Serena realized that this was actually their very first dinner together, and so she filed away the special moments, savoring every moment. She wanted to memorize the scenery and the epitome of the raw, male beauty who sat before her nonchalantly, as if the world belonged to him. And to her, it did belong to him.
After eating their fill, they cleared away the hotplates and continued to sit on the rug before the Christmas tree lingering over the wine and enjoying the warm, intimate mood. Serena continued to watch the snow through the huge bay windows that continued to slant down heavily outside. The conversation died a comfortable death with only an occasional comment here and there on different subjects.
Serena shifted her gaze to the interesting decorations on the tree when a particular one caught her eye. One decoration looked something like an intricately designed, glass cube with small portraits in it, and she had a funny feeling that the pictures were of Darien at different ages. She looked back impishly at Darien, grinning like a mischievous elf and got up to take a closer look at the decoration. "Is that what I think it is?" She voiced out to him curiously.
Darien grinned back at her lazily with a puzzled look on his face. "What is?" He asked, rising at the same time as her. Just as she reached the tree, her stocking foot tripped over a slight hump in the rug.
"Aaaaahh!" Serena cried out in surprise, her arms flying out to try and stabilize her balance. Why in the world do I have to have a klutz attack after seven years, she thought with mortification and embarrassment? Just as the ground loomed dangerously close, a large, warm body appeared before her to pad her fall. Darien landed on the ground with a slight grunt escaping from his lungs as his body braced Serena's. They rolled once toward the tree, with Serena ending up--or rather beneath Darien, with a slightly dazed look on her face.
Once her gaze focused on Darien, she burst out with concern, "Are you okay?" At the same time, her hands reached out to trace Darien's face with apparent concern.
Darien chuckled, gazing down into her face, a sardonic smile slowly spreading across his sensuous lips. He watched Serena's lapis-blue eyes widen with instant carnal awareness, the irises enlarging within her eyes as she felt the long, hard length of his body settling purposely, comfortably over hers. His finger reached up to touch her full, trembling lower lip. His lids lowered over his dark gaze as they dipped to her mouth, his blue eyes deepening to the color of a wild and torrent ocean as they flared expressively with hot desire. "I cannot pass up this perfect opportunity, Serena . . ." he said, his voice low and taut, as his finger slid slowly back and forth across her lower lip, enjoying the feel of her suddenly, wet lips against his finger.
Of their own accord, her arms lifted, and then her hands were slowly threading the strands of Darien's hair, luxuriating in their silky softness through her fingers. Her blood felt like it was beginning to boil as it pulsed through her veins at a speed that made her heart flutter furiously. Her body began a slow burn of fire as her own desire trembled and sang within her, answering to his call of fervid passion.
Darien's finger paused on her lips and Serena opened her mouth to gently suckle it, causing him to shudder powerfully in exquisite torment. "Serena . . . what the hell are you doing to me?" He breathed hoarsely, hapless but to stare at where she gently sucked his finger.
Serena let go of his finger and gazed back up into his hard face. With her hands still entwined in his hair, she firmly nudged his head toward her lips. God, how she wanted him with every fiber of her being, and to hell with their charade. This was real, damnit! "Darien-please quit talking and kiss me," she huskily pleaded and commanded at the same time.
"I thought you'd never ask," he murmured before his mouth possessed hers in a deep and greedy kiss. His mouth slanted over hers, as if he were devouring his last meal, releasing all his pent-up passion and kissing her as if his life depended on it.
She moaned in response, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She could feel his hands roaming freely over her body, exploring her curves, reliving his charted course. Desire flared like a restless brush fire burning out of control and Serena was caught up, trapped within the flaming circle of it's intense heat.
Darien broke off their kiss, his breathing ragged and shallow. Serena watched wordlessly as he unzipped the back of her dress. Inch by inch, he slowly peeled down the straps of her dress, exposing her creamy skin to his intense gaze. The fire in the fireplace crackled and sparkled, casting a golden hue on the engrossed couple whose only world encompassed only them.
She helped him remove the rest of her dress, and then she lay before him in just her white, silk panties and lacy stockings that encased her long, shapely legs. She could see his gaze deepen to the color of sapphires as they swept slowly over her figure. She blushed in heady embarrassment but allowed him to take his fill of her. Her breasts swelled as her breathing stormed through her body, and her nipples puckered erect underneath his heated perusal. Her face grew even redder as she watched his eyes stare for long moments at the apex between her legs, where the golden center of her flared hot and warm all at once.
"You're absolutely beautiful-Serena," he whispered reverently as his hand reached out to carefully cup one of her heavy breasts. "Absolutely . . . beautiful . . ." he continued, his fingers stroking over the hard pebble of her nipple-back and forth-in a tantalizing stroke.
Serena's immediate response was to groan in frustration, her hands reaching up to stop him-no, to encourage him. Her legs pulled up as the heat within the center of her belly fast approached a boiling point.
Darien paused in his stroking to divest himself of his garments, suddenly feeling as if the tuxedo was too stifling and confining. Piece by piece, each article of clothing dropped to floor beside them in a forgotten heap.
Serena felt as if her lungs would explode from holding her breath for so long. With the fire lights flickering in the background and the soft glow of the Christmas tree's lights joining in unison, dark grooves, ridges and hollow lines were cast on his exposed, sinew, and muscular skin. Each definitive shape of muscle, from his hard face to his broad shoulders, down the sleek lines of his stomach and his long, hard thighs, was displayed only for her own pleasurable viewing. Her gaze traveled hesitantly toward the center of his groin, halting for long moments on his hard erection, so explicitly protruding from his body. Everything had come down to this point, Serena thought dazedly as she continued to gaze at Darien's body in fascination and wonderment.
"Serena . . . touch me-" Darien commanded softly, but the words came out in a half groan as he kneeled back down before her. He took her hand in his and guided her fingers around his thick member and taught her gently the movements that would satisfy him.
And after while, she could feel him stiffening and shuddering powerfully under her exploring ministrations. She felt a sense of heady, overwhelming power that she could bring him such pleasure--it was such an intimate gesture, she smiled like a siren in thought.
When Darien could stand no more-for fear of spilling his seed before he had a chance to give her pleasure-he halted her hands and kissed her deeply again. This time, he could feel her hesitant, exploring fingers reaching out to touch his shoulder blades, the curve that dipped in the middle of his back and down his hard buttocks. He whispered and coaxed her gently to touch him wherever she pleased. She was rewarded with his soft exclamations and the stiffening of his body in response to her caresses.
Somehow, Serena had lost track as to when Darien had removed her stockings and panties, but it was no matter as his fingers delved deep between her soft thighs to explore and entice her sweet nectar. All the while, they kissed and caressed each other, both of them softly exclaiming over the new wonders of learning each other.
There came a point in their sensual exploration that Darien paused to gaze at the arresting tattoo on Serena's shapely backside. When he said nothing, Serena gazed over her shoulder to wonder at his stillness. And then their eyes meet in a gentle caress of passion and fire. Darien tenderly kissed her tattoo, his hands lingering on her shapely derriere before moving on to more ah exciting planes of her body.
And when Darien lips teased and kissed her nipples until they stood high with vigorous attention, they both seemed to have reached a point where their bodies were tired of waiting.
With a certain pleading in her lovely blue orbs that could not be denied, he shifted his body between her creamy thighs and swiftly drove his member deep within her awaiting channel. It was nearly their undoing as they cried out in unison. Their hands reached out and clasped together, fingers entwined so it was hard to determine whose were whose, as if they were joined as one. And then Darien began to move deeply within her in a rhythm that was as timeless and as old as the sea herself. All that mattered was the moment-a moment frozen in time for Serena and the man above her-and the driving motion of his body.
When she reached that pinnacle where there was no returning, he was there, whispering, coaxing to her. Open your eyes-Serena, he lulled to her huskily, as her body began to convulse. When she obeyed him, she couldn't explain the tenet feeling of knowing intimately, the feel of his powerful thrust, the drag and motion of his manhood within her body--all the while their gazes held in a tenuous hold. But she understood then what they shared when her world tilted and exploded. She cried out his name and watched his own deep gaze, the pupils widening within the irises, as his body began to join hers in mutual rapture. It was the passionate touch of her hand that reached out to caress the hard angles of his face that was his complete undoing.
Serena-he groaned and then he kissed her greedily once again as his seed spilled deeply into her welcoming body.
Darien . . . she murmured sleepily, sometime later, still holding him within her embrace . . . I love you.
Stay tuned for the next part! Merry Christmas everyone! Lady M. Harris